THE JOY OF EASTER

JESUS HAS RISEN AS HE SAID

We had a most wonderful Holy Week

There were many tears throughout this blessed Holy Week, in praise and thanksgiving for the health of Gracie Ann and myself

My heart just ached last year suffering so much, being so sick and having to be away from the kids on Easter

Nicholas was blessed to be able to serve on the Altar at Mass on Holy Thursday, the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday and at Easter Vigil on Saturday

 Nicholas had special training in order to serve at these special Masses/services

I was SO BLESSED to be able to go an adore my Jesus with my sweet Nicholas at 3:00am-4:00am (the hour of Mercy) early Good Friday morning.

What an intimate and powerful time for our hearts

I was unable to attend the other special services because the crowds were too large (what a blessing to see so many worshiping and celebrating this most important time together)

Then Fr Gary gave me the most beautiful idea as I had decided that it was too crowded for me to stay as Savannah and I walked up to the church for the Veneration on Good Friday

He suggested that I could walk the Outdoor Stations of the Cross instead of coming inside with all of the families.

What a special time it was.....prayerfully 

walking alone through the beautiul outdoor garden in front of the church....meditating on our Lord's death and Resurrection

HE DID IT FOR ME AND FOR EACH OF HIS CHILDREN

THINKING OF MY NAME AS HE SUFFERED ON THE CROSS, SO THAT I COULD HAVE LIFE

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SPECIAL GIFT FROM JESUS THROUGH NICHOLAS

Nicholas felt bad knowing that I was sad to miss most of the Holy Week services (because of the crowds), so since he was an Altar server at Easter Vigil, he held one of the special candles, lit by the Paschal Candle, lit by the New blessed fire outside of the church.
He then started with other servers to light the candles of all of the congregation, which would then create a beautiful glow inside of the darkened Sanctuary to begin the liturgy of the Easter Vigil Mass

There is my sweet Nicholas (the short Altar server)
ANYWAY
My sweet and thoughtful son, brought that special candle home for me.  It will hold a place of honor in my heart and be kept respectivly as deserved for the precious gift that it is.

Here is this most beautiful candle lying beneath the Crucifix on our kitchen table 

My sister blessed me with these two beautiful lit candles on either side of the Cross made from vintage Holy Cards
(These special sacramentals warm our home, as I love to be surrounded by as many Images of my Jesus and the Saints as I can fit)
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Some special moments that I spent with my two babies while the rest of my family was at Easter Vigil

 Isaac loves Gracie Ann so much that he cannot get enough of her

 He loves kissing her face and hugging her.....he had gotten into her little bed with her as she slept and tried to snuggle up to her

It didn't go over too well....as he woke her up......I just love this picture of Isaac and Gracie Ann

It just makes me laugh as he is trying so hard to love on her and she got so frustrated with him....she peacefully fell back to sleep almost instantly, though and in Isaac/toddler fashion...he grew bored of laying next to her and got out of her bed to play

EASTER DAY

Woke up and hunted eggs

Help from Nicholas and his sisters to collect the hidden eggs 

Discovered "Malted Milk ball" Easter Eggs

Ate breakfast and enjoyed some new surprises that the bunny dropped off

 Took off our FOOTIE pajamas in order to try on our new light up camo shoes AND play with a new "pool noodle"

 Accoring to Isaac, the best shoes EVER.....light up as you run

Isaac FILLED our Easter morning with tons of laughs

Isaac finally got dressed more respectfully as we got ready to leave the house

We stopped by to visit some extremely special people, wishing them a happy Feast day, bearing Easter lilies

Then headed to my mom and dad's for Easter dinner with my sister, brother in law and the cousins

Right when I walked into my daddy's room to say hello, he instantly "tracked" Gracie Ann as I held her in my arms.  He couldn't say the words, but there was NO DOUBT that he wanted that baby girl in HIS arms!

 He held her so contently in his arms....just gazing at her

 My mom and dad with all of the grandchildren

My daddy was weakly reaching for Gracie Ann's hand, so I guided his hand to find hers and he held onto her little fingers and stroked her little legs......the two of them fell asleep together.  I couldn't decide who was snoring louder....what a joyful time for them both

Me and my Sis

 Isaac coming to say hi to Grandpa

Savannah Banana

Madison and Nicholas were both in attendance as you can see from the group photo with Grandma and Grandpa, but I have been the worst lately at taking pictures at important events.

I guess that I am just so happy to be there with my family (soaking it all in), that I get lost in enjoyment and forget to capture those special moments to share with friends and to enjoy looking back on, later

Here is one of Jeremy and I the day AFTER Easter at the hosptial waiting for my bronchoscopy

(which by the way showed my lungs totally clear.....Praise Jesus)

All in all, it was a most joyous Easter for our family.....so different from last Easter when Jeremy, Gracie Ann and I couldn't spend Easter with the rest of the family

PRAISE YOU JESUS FOR THIS TIME TOGETHER

I love you so much Dear Father....thank You for all of these wonderful blessings.....You have showered us so much, that I stand in total and absolute gratitude for the abundance of blessings that I see and even more so, for the insurmountable amount of blessings that my mind is too small to even grasp.

love,

kerry ann

JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN TODAY

HALLELUJAH